Airport officials in talks with charter companies

Published: Monday, November 13, 2006 at 8:33 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 13, 2006 at 12:55 p.m.

HOUMA -- Officials at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport are trying to lure two passenger-service providers to the east-Houma facility.

DayJet Corp. and NetJets representatives have spoken with airport officials in recent days about the possibility of setting up shop in Terrebonne, airport officials said.

The companies, neither of which has committed to coming to Houma, provide charter air services, primarily to business executive.

"(These companies) like some of the services we offer here, like cheap fuel, the new improved runway" and other services, Airport Commissioner Ed Marmande said.

Marmande and other airport officials, including Airport Manager Earl Hicks, talked to company representatives in mid-October at an aviation convention held in Orlando, Fla.

That was followed by phone and e-mail conversations, and now local officials say they have tentative plans to meet with company executives. No date has been set.

"The demand for these services is astronomical. The concept -- called very-light-jet -- is like grabbing a cab," Hicks said, adding the practice has been surging in popularity since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacks caused some to be concerned about commercial flights.

Hicks and Marmande said this type of flying is the future of aviation, and local officials would like to be part of it.

HOW AFFORDABLE IS IT?

The cost is higher than commercial flights, probably more expensive than flying first class, Marmande said.

For instance, one of the companies offers a flight card for $110,000 to $300,000 for a minimum of 25 hours, according to a company Web site

What you are paying for is convenience, privacy, the ability to fly to a small airport instead of a major one, and even the ability to change plans during a flight.

Those things are costly, but the price could decrease as the demand for this type of service increases, he said.

The last time the Houma-Terrebonne Airport had a passenger service was from 1977 to 1984 when Hammonds Air Service offered it. The company offered regular flights to Patterson, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Pensacola, Fla., and Panama City, Fla.

This service would be different in that it would offer on-demand, rather than scheduled flights.

HOW INTERESTED ARE THEY?

Florida-based DayJet Corp., an air-taxi operator, learned about the airport for the first time at the convention, where local officials had set up a display.

The company, founded in 2002, owns a fleet of about 500 Eclipse-500 jets, each of which seats six passengers.

DayJet is looking for a place to set up shop, officials said. Marmande said there is a need locally for an air-taxi service.

Officials with NetJets had considered the airport prior to the convention. The company offers fractional ownership, allowing people buy a financial interest in a jet in return for a guaranteed number of flying hours each year.

The Ohio-based company has been in talks with the Houma airport for about six years, but is waiting for ongoing airport infrastructure, like a strengthened runway and upgraded taxiways, to be completed.

"I’ve stayed in touch with them (over the years) and kept them appraised with the progress we are making, and those that are developing as we speak," he said.

Marmande said the airport now meets NetJets’ requirements because of its improved runway, easy access to main highways, a radar system, larger parking lots, an instrument-landing system and the existence of six support-service companies.

CONVENTION BENEFITS

Marmande was one of four locals who represented the airport at the convention. The others were Hicks; Connie Lajaunie, assistant airport manager; and Michelle Stewart, who is with the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority.

"It put the Houma-Terrebonne airport on the map, and it helped us network with companies," said Marmande. The foursome’s trip and convention attendance cost $10,000, money that came from the airport’s annual marketing budget.

<p>HOUMA -- Officials at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport are trying to lure two passenger-service providers to the east-Houma facility.</p><p>DayJet Corp. and NetJets representatives have spoken with airport officials in recent days about the possibility of setting up shop in Terrebonne, airport officials said.</p><p>The companies, neither of which has committed to coming to Houma, provide charter air services, primarily to business executive.</p><p>"(These companies) like some of the services we offer here, like cheap fuel, the new improved runway" and other services, Airport Commissioner Ed Marmande said.</p><p>Marmande and other airport officials, including Airport Manager Earl Hicks, talked to company representatives in mid-October at an aviation convention held in Orlando, Fla.</p><p>That was followed by phone and e-mail conversations, and now local officials say they have tentative plans to meet with company executives. No date has been set.</p><p>"The demand for these services is astronomical. The concept -- called very-light-jet -- is like grabbing a cab," Hicks said, adding the practice has been surging in popularity since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists attacks caused some to be concerned about commercial flights.</p><p>Hicks and Marmande said this type of flying is the future of aviation, and local officials would like to be part of it.</p><p>HOW AFFORDABLE IS IT?</p><p>The cost is higher than commercial flights, probably more expensive than flying first class, Marmande said.</p><p>For instance, one of the companies offers a flight card for $110,000 to $300,000 for a minimum of 25 hours, according to a company Web site</p><p>What you are paying for is convenience, privacy, the ability to fly to a small airport instead of a major one, and even the ability to change plans during a flight.</p><p>Those things are costly, but the price could decrease as the demand for this type of service increases, he said.</p><p>The last time the Houma-Terrebonne Airport had a passenger service was from 1977 to 1984 when Hammonds Air Service offered it. The company offered regular flights to Patterson, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Pensacola, Fla., and Panama City, Fla.</p><p>This service would be different in that it would offer on-demand, rather than scheduled flights.</p><p>HOW INTERESTED ARE THEY?</p><p>Florida-based DayJet Corp., an air-taxi operator, learned about the airport for the first time at the convention, where local officials had set up a display.</p><p>The company, founded in 2002, owns a fleet of about 500 Eclipse-500 jets, each of which seats six passengers.</p><p>DayJet is looking for a place to set up shop, officials said. Marmande said there is a need locally for an air-taxi service.</p><p>Officials with NetJets had considered the airport prior to the convention. The company offers fractional ownership, allowing people buy a financial interest in a jet in return for a guaranteed number of flying hours each year.</p><p>The Ohio-based company has been in talks with the Houma airport for about six years, but is waiting for ongoing airport infrastructure, like a strengthened runway and upgraded taxiways, to be completed.</p><p>"I’ve stayed in touch with them (over the years) and kept them appraised with the progress we are making, and those that are developing as we speak," he said.</p><p>Marmande said the airport now meets NetJets’ requirements because of its improved runway, easy access to main highways, a radar system, larger parking lots, an instrument-landing system and the existence of six support-service companies.</p><p>CONVENTION BENEFITS</p><p>Marmande was one of four locals who represented the airport at the convention. The others were Hicks; Connie Lajaunie, assistant airport manager; and Michelle Stewart, who is with the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority.</p><p>"It put the Houma-Terrebonne airport on the map, and it helped us network with companies," said Marmande. The foursome’s trip and convention attendance cost $10,000, money that came from the airport’s annual marketing budget.</p>